Ian Tolfree
InvestorFounderPrincipal at Emerald Development Managers · Board director at TBT Pharma
Miami-Fort Lauderdale Area
FoundedTBT Pharma
About
Principal at Emerald and a theoretical physicist turned commercialization generalist, holding a PhD from Johns Hopkins. Former manager of Johns Hopkins' FastForward incubator and founder/CEO of TBT Pharma; named an Executive in Residence at Columbia Technology Ventures in 2025.
Board director at TBT Pharma
Intro paths
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In turn, Ian can intro founders to TBT Pharma's investors below.
TBT Pharma's investors · 1
Co-founders at TBT Pharma
SG
Steve GirgentiDirector
Experience
- Emerald Development Managers LPPrincipalcurrent2019 — present
- Columbia Technology VenturesExecutive in Residencecurrent2025 — present
- TBT PharmaCEOcurrent2016 — presentNew York City Metropolitan Area
- Latella Neuromuscular Training Systems, LLCAdvisory Board2017 — 2022New York City Metropolitan Area
- Dipole MaterialsMember Board of Directors2015 — 2022Washington DC-Baltimore Area
- Vesta HealthEntrepreneur In Residence2018 — 2019Greater New York City Area
- Imogin/Tarsier OpticsCEO2016 — 2018Baltimore, Maryland
- Gemstone BiotherapeuticsDirector of Operations2015 — 2016Washington DC-Baltimore Area
- Johns Hopkins UniversityFastForward Venture Manager2013 — 2015Washington DC-Baltimore Area
- Johns Hopkins UniversityBusiness Analyst2012 — 2013Batlimore, MD
- BloominescenceChief Scientist2004 — 2014Washington DC-Baltimore Area
- Institute for Physical SciencesScientist/Developer2011 — 2012Washington DC-Baltimore Area
- Johns Hopkins UniversityPostdoctoral Fellow2009 — 2011
- Johns Hopkins UniversityResearch Assistant2002 — 2009
- Columbia UniversityLab Tech1999 — 2002
Education
- The Johns Hopkins UniversityDoctor of Philosophy - PhD, Theoretical Physics2002 — 2009
- Columbia EngineeringBachelor of Science - BS, Applied Physics1998 — 2002
Skills & more
Mathematical Modeling34Physics37Research36Machine Learning27Natural Language Processing4Statistics15Science15Data Analysis14Biotechnology7Nanotechnology5Start-ups7Business Development3
+12 more
EntrepreneurshipLife SciencesBusiness StrategyStrategic PartnershipsProduct DevelopmentDermatologyResearch and Development (R&D)TheoryJavaMathematicaFortranR- Class II ForkLift
- Strength and Conditioning Specalist — NSCA
From Ian's professional profile.
Colleagues at Emerald Development Managers
Abbe Serphos
Operating Partner and Head of Communications at Emerald Development Managers
Beckie Cohen
Associate at Emerald Development Managers
Charles Collins
Partner at Emerald Development Managers
Cy Schroeder
Principal at Emerald Development Managers
Joshua Smith
Director, Investor Relations at Emerald Development Managers
Neil Cohen
Founder and Chairman at Emerald Development Managers
Stephen Case
Managing Director at Emerald Development Managers
Youssef Kheiralla
Associate at Emerald Development Managers
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Ian Tolfree work?
- Ian Tolfree is Principal at Emerald Development Managers and Founder at TBT Pharma.
- What companies did Ian Tolfree found?
- Ian Tolfree founded TBT Pharma.
Founder mafias
The Johns Hopkins University mafia56
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Christoph LengauerPostdocFounded Celsius Therapeutics +2Anne OsdoitMaster of Science (MS)Founded Moon Surgical +2Andrew LevyBachelor of Science (B.S.)Founded Apteligent +2Matt MichelsonB.S.Founded Evid Science +1Merrill AnovickB.A. with HonorsFounded Lynd Clinical +1Kanishk ParasharBSFounded Powder +1
+ 49 more
Columbia Engineering mafia19
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Kingsley R. ChinBachelor of Science (BSc)Founded IndependentmedexpertMichael NusimowCertificate of Professional Achievement in Information SystemsFounded DrChronoPeter SugiharaBSFounded Open ListingsMoawia EldeebBachelor of Science (B.S.)Founded TempoAngel Alonso SayBachelor of Science (BS)Founded ResolveNikos KaramolegkosMaster of Science (M.S.)Founded Gerald Technologies, Inc
+ 12 more
Same school
Also attended The Johns Hopkins University245
Wes NicholsPartner at March Capital PartnersDemi ObayomiPrincipal at Sapphire VenturesJun JeonInvestor at Khosla VenturesNicole FraenkelInvestor at Khosla VenturesElena VibochManaging Director at General CatalystScott RubinVenture Partner at Lux Capital
+ 239 more
Also attended Columbia Engineering50
Peter ParkerManaging General Partner at Mission BiocapitalLaszlo CzirjakManaging Partner at Interactive Venture Partners LlcKerry WuAssociate VP, Research & Partnerships at The Westly GroupTyler LancasterPartner — Co-Head of Ventures at Energize VenturesRemi SaidGeneral Partner at Partech VenturesRaymond LiaoManaging Director at Samsung Next
+ 44 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Columbia Technology Ventures22
Matthew McCooeChief Executive Officer at Connecticut InnovationsTristan HuntPartner at Averin CapitalKristina VulganCo-Founder & Managing Partner at Ferocity CapitalLyla YoussefAssociate at SR One Capital ManagementNeha AgarwalSenior Advisor at Adjuvant CapitalMelissa FensterstockCompany Building Advisor at Material Impact
+ 16 more
Also worked at Johns Hopkins University52
Demi ObayomiPrincipal at Sapphire VenturesJun JeonInvestor at Khosla VenturesLinda CuretonBoard Member at Maryland TEDCODavid NarrowVenture Advisor at Cultivation CapitalCharlie BuffaVice President, Sales at Mainsail PartnersOluwakayode (Kay) JasanyaInvestor at SUPPLY CHANGE CAPITAL
+ 46 more
Also worked at Columbia University163
Reid HoffmanCo-founder of LinkedIn; Partner at GreylockRon ZoriVenture Partner at Lerer HippeauRalph DeBernardoPartner, Investor Relations at Sapphire VenturesRichard ChesworthInvestor at Third Rock VenturesJesse Coors-BlankenshipCo-founder, General Partner at Parkway Venture CapitalLauren YoungHead of Platform at AlleyCorp
+ 157 more